Fantasy Football

Week 10 Fantasy Starts and Sits

Sit 'em - Steve Smith vs DEN

First, remember the days when we had to decipher between two Steve Smith's? Ahh, good times. Granted, the lesser-known Smith still suits up for the St. Louis Rams, but the original Smith, circa 2001, continues to be Cam Newton's favorite target in Carolina. It may not be saying much in the subpar and, at times, confused offense, but Smith has averaged more than 11 targets per game over the last four. However, Denver's Champ Bailey matches up with Smith in Week 10 and can cause headaches for the best receivers in the league. History has shown us that Smith does not react/perform well when frustrated. He sits against the Broncos. - Ryan Fowler

Start 'em - Andrew Luck vs JAX (Thurs.)

Over the last five games, Jacksonville's defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to average 261 passing yards per game (including their game against the Packers where they dropped back in coverage and dared Alex Green to run) with seven touchdowns and three intereceptions. Andrew Luck has averaged 365 passing yards per game the last two weeks with three touchdowns and only one interception. He's averaged 8.42 yards per pass attempt the last two games, too. I'd be lying if the short week and traveling to Jacksonville didn't make me nervous, but this rookie quarterback has shocked us time and time again in 2012. It's time to take the training wheels off and let him ride. - Ryan Fowler

Start 'em - Mike Williams vs SD

Before we get to Mike Williams, don't you think San Diego is salivating at the chance to completely shut down former wide receiver Vincent Jackson? In that same breath, don't you think the Chargers' defense (fourth vs. the rush 84 RYAPG) is ready to quiet Doug Martin (386 yards in last two games with five touchdowns)? With those two major distractions, look for Mike Williams to continue his quiet consistent season of success (hooray for alliteration!). He's averaged nine targets per game with 14 receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns over the last three games. Josh Freeman is looking to rekindle the fantasy football connection we saw in 2010. - Ryan Fowler

Start 'em - Marcel Reece vs BAL

Update 11/8: With Taiwan Jones taking halfback reps in practice, I've downgraded Reece to a low-RB3/RB4 in standard leagues, but remains a start in PPR leagues. - RF When "high" is followed by "ankle" and then "sprain," my immediate thought is that athlete is out at least two weeks. In the cases of Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson, two running backs who rely on those ankle to cut, bob and move, high ankle sprains are historically a temporary sentence to the sideline. This opens the door for Oakland's Marcel Reece in Week 10 against a subpar Ravens rush defense. Known more for his pass-catching (26 receptions for 272 yards), Reece has only 48 NFL carries for 234 yards (4.9 yards per rush) with one touchdown. The Ravens, fresh off the BYE, just allowed Trent Richardson to rush for 105 yards on 25 carries along with six receptions for 31 yards. Those stats play into Reece's favor. - Ryan Fowler

Start 'em - T.Y. Hilton vs JAX (Thurs.)

Normally I'm not a fan of starting members of the road team playing on Thursday nights. The short week plays mind games with fantasy owners and analysts. However, Andrew Luck in the zone and with how poorly Jacksonville remains on the defensive side of the ball, Hilton earns the nod in Week 10. He and Donnie Avery combined for over 200 yards against Miami in Week 9 as Luck proved he can target receivers without the name Wayne on the back of their jersey. In fact, Hilton was targeted 11 times to lead the Colts as he eclipsed 100 yards for the second time this season. The first time was against the Jaguars in Week 2 when he racked up 113 yards (28.3 yards per reception) with a touchdown. - Ryan Fowler

Start 'em - Brandon Myers vs BAL

Joining the likes of Philip Rivers and Ryan Mathews of NFL players in need of spell check is Oakland's Brandon Myers. The tight end has been targeted 33 times over the last four games as Carson Palmer airs it out with the rushing attack struggling and now severely banged up with Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson dealing with ankle injuries. Myers scored the first two touchdowns of his career against the Buccaneers. After Baltimore in Week 10, he faces the Saints' swiss cheese secondary in Week 11. He's worthy of a roster add in a deep tight end talent pool. - Ryan Fowler

Start her - Emmanuelle Chriqui

Known best for her role on Entourage as E's girlfriend Sloan, Emmanuelle Chriqui is this week's fantasy girl "Start o' the Week." Agree? Disagree? Nominations for future weeks? Tweet at me @FOXSportsFowler.

Sit 'em - Pittsburgh running backs vs KC

All signs and reports point to Rashard Mendenhall missing one more game before returning to a crowded Pittsburgh backfield in Week 11. That leaves Jon Dwyer and Isaac Redman to compete for the most touches Monday night against the Chiefs. Here's the 411 on the two backs heading into the contest: Dwyer (quad) missed last week's game, but in the two games before that rushed 34 times for 229 yards (6.7 YPR). Redman played his first game in three weeks Sunday and broke out for 147 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown against the Giants. The Chiefs do allow 126 rushing yards per game, so there could be an argument to start BOTH options, but I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum as we wait for the dust to settle instead of educated guessing with the current crap shoot. - Ryan Fowler

Sit 'em - Ahmad Bradshaw vs CIN

In his fourth and fifth games of the season (vs. CLE/SF), Ahmad Bradshaw rushed 57 times for 316 yards (5.5 yards per rush) with two touchdowns. In his next three contests, he rushed 49 times for 169 yards (3.6 yards per rush) with one score, while dealing with different foot ailments. However, the thorn in Bradshaw owners' sides is not the weekly injury report guessing game, it's the vulture. Backup running back Andre Brown has now scored in three straight games, limiting the fantasy prowess of Bradshaw. With Brandon Jacobs in San Francisco this season, those who drafted Bradshaw thought they were dodging this headache. In Week 10, Eli Manning will attack a soft Bengals' secondary, thus limiting Bradshaw's upside. - Ryan Fowler

Sit 'em - Fred Jackson vs NE

The last time the Bills and Patriots met, Tom Brady and the Patriots scored six straight touchdowns in the second half en route to a 52-28 win. It was Fred Jackson's first game back after spraining his knee in the season opener. He finished with 79 total yards. With the Pats coming off the BYE and playing at home, I expect similar results in Week 10, but wouldn't expect New England to wait until the second half to run up the score. With the Bills playing from behind, Jackson's fantasy value takes a hit along with the fact C.J. Spiller continues to see plenty of touches and targets in the passing game. - Ryan Fowler